In 2020, it’s more important than ever that we get our kids interested in and engaged with the natural world — fast. As the years go by and the damage we’ve done to the environment continues, we desperately need a generation determined to restore the planet. And what better way to get your budding environmentalists involved than with the soothing tones of David Attenborough? Nature documentaries are the holy grail of family entertainment: informative, awe-inspiring, and (actually) enjoyable for all ages. In the spirit of Earth Day, we’re thinking about the nature docs that made our families fall back in love with the world around us.
Another bright side of nature documentaries? There are so, so many options to choose from. If your kids are wide-eyed about ocean life, there’s plenty to watch in that vein. If they’re penguin enthusiasts, we have you covered. These diligent documentarians have been all over the world getting up close and personal with wildlife, and if your family gets hooked on one topic, there’s always more to explore.
Finally, it has to be said that nature documentaries offer some of the best narrators in the game. Disneynature docs feature big-name narrators like Meghan Markle, Natalie Portman, and Tina Fey, while historian David Attenborough is renowned for his endearing narration of hits like Planet Earth and Blue Planet.
Do yourself a favor and spend your Earth Day introducing the family to the wonders of the nature world through these documentaries. You (and your kids) will thank us.
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth is a short and sweet doc about a young boy who learns about the planet on Earth Day from his parents. Meryl Streep narrates heartwarming, accessible short.
The Blue Planet
David Attenborough’s legendary Blue Planet explores the marine environment — from, yes, sharks and other massive sea creatures to lesser-explored worlds of coral polyps, sailfish, and marlin. You’ll be surprised how much you didn’t know about our oceans.
‘Turtle: The Incredible Journey’
This documentary follows one loggerhead turtle’s incredible journey from Florida to the frozen north to Africa — and back home. Only one in ten thousand turtles survives this journey, and it’s amazing to watch their perseverance.
‘Disneynature Oceans’
Pierce Brosnan narrates this Disneynature documentary about deep sea life, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts and protecting their environment.
‘Planet Earth’
Sigourney Weaver narrates BBC America’s Planet Earth, a one-season (and Emmy-winning) documentary series exploring 11 different biomes on Earth — the natural wonders, the wildlife, and how their habitat functions.
‘Disneynature Elephant’
Disneynature Elephant follows African elephant Shani and her son Jomo as they travel with their herd across the Kalahari Desert, completing the trip of their ancestors. The doc about these lovable mamals is narrated by Meghan Markle.
‘March of the Penguins’
Famously narrated by Morgan Freeman, this epic doc showing the mating rituals of the emperor penguins of the South Pole will make you feel more grateful for your family than ever.
‘Disneynature Monkey Kingdom’
Tina Fey narrates this documentary about a troop of monkeys at Castle Rock in South Asia. The troop weathers conflict with other monkeys and a relocation, and gets through it stronger together.
‘Arctic Tale’
As tragic as it is adorable, Arctic Tale follows a young polar bear cub and a young walrus living in the tundra and growing up to experience the devastating effects of climate change on their home. Queen Latifah narrates this sweet and important doc.
‘Born to Be Wild’
Born to Be Wild showcases the work of Daphne Sheldrick and Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas, animal preservationists who respectively set up an elephant sanctuary and an orangutan orphanage. These women help young, orphaned animals grow healthy and strong before releasing them into the wild.
‘Disneynature Chimpanzee’
Baby chimpanzee Oscar is making his way through the forest happily and without fear when rival chimps suddenly threaten him and his family. The path he takes next will surprise you.
‘Nature’s Great Events’
Nature’s Great Events is a documentary series exploring how certain environments react to dramatic events, like the annual thaw in the Arctic, or the migration of zebra across the Serengeti.
‘Disneynature African Cats’
African Cats focuses on two families: one cheetah with five cubs, and two lions with one cub who rule their pride — but are at risk of losing their position. Set in Kenya, the doc shows how these cats fight for their own and their families’ survival.
‘Nature: Animal Odd Couples’
This series is just plain adorable, looking at friendships between a cheetah and a Golden Retriever, a tortoise and a goose, a lion and a coyote, and more. We’ll learn a little about why these animals might get along, and we’ll see a lot of them cuddling and playing with each other.
Watch here.
‘Hidden Kingdoms’
Narrated by Stephen Fry, Hidden Kingdoms takes on the smaller animal worlds we don’t often think about — chipmunks, dung beetles, shrews. We see the world from their eyes, and explore their hidden domains.
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